The Week That Was…

Published 8:00 pm, Wednesday, July 28, 2010

These are just a few of my thoughts on what has transpired at the state and national levels in sports during the past week.

Vacation Time…

…This column will be off until Aug. 12 as I take my final week of vacation.

Wounded Tigers…

…A team can only take so many injuries, and the Tigers may be at their limit.

Saturday was certainly a dark day for the team as Magglio Ordóñez broke his right ankle during a play at the plate. The ankle was already sore, but once Maggs went down to slide, it got caught up and gave out. The injury is expected to keep him out six to eight weeks.

He was having a resurgent season, and was a solid No. 3 hitter in front of Miguel Cabrera. There’s not a player on the roster that can replace Ordóñez’s bat.

Later in the same game, Carlos Guillén, who was settling in nicely at second base, strained a calf and landed back on the DL.

Dave Dombrowski is scrambling the best he can, calling up young players to fill the holes.

Dombrowski also pulled the trigger on a trade to bring Jhonny Peralta over from the Indians.

Peralta is a veteran player, but is batting just .246 with seven homers and 43 RBIs in 91 games. He gives the Tigers some flexibility as he can play third and short.

Prior to the injuries, it looked as if the team was going to make a run at slugger Adam Dunn from the Nationals and pitcher Ted Lilly from the Cubs.

Now, at five games back of the White Sox, Dombrowski is doing some soul searching. He has to determine if the Tigers can overcome the deficit to make the potential trades worth it.

With the recent events, the best move may be to not make any moves and see if the current players can get it done.

T.O. Show goes to Cincy…

…The Cincinnati Bengals may be my new favorite team.

On Tuesday, future Hall of Fame receiver and ultimate diva Terrell Owens signed a one-year deal with the team. He joins fellow diva Chad Ochocinco.

At 36, T.O. is on the decline, but the move makes a lot of sense.

Ochocinco needs somebody on the other side of the field who will demand some attention. T.O. brings to the Bengals 1,006 career receptions, 14,951 yards and 144 touchdowns.

If he can keep his ego in check, the move should pay off. If he can’t, the move will create a circus.

It’s only a matter of time before one or the other becomes unhappy with the amount of balls coming his way. Then, the fun begins. Twitter will be blowing up, as T.O. and Ochocinco tear the Bengals apart.

One thing is for sure, this season in Cincinnati will be anything but boring.

Know your role…

…There’s a lot to like about Dallas Cowboys rookie receiver Dez Bryant.

He was the first first rounder to sign a deal and get to camp on time. He’s signs every autograph, and works great with the media.

However, reports recently surfaced that he refused to carry veteran receiver Roy Williams’ pads during practice.

I’m as anti-hazing as they come, but I don’t really see how carrying a veteran player’s pads is hazing. Being a rookie, especially in the NFL, is about knowing your role.

Bryant has tremendous skills, and if the Cowboys are successful this season, he will be a major factor. But Williams was just trying to keep him humble and in line.

By not carrying the pads, Bryant comes off as if he’s not a team player, which I’m sure isn’t the case.

As for other forms of hazing, that physically and mentally abuse players, I’m completely against those. I don’t think carrying a player’s pads falls into either of those categories, though.

Jar of the Week…

…It’s the year of the pitcher in baseball as Tampa Bay’s Matt Garza no-hit the Tigers to become the fifth (sixth if you include Armando Galarraga) to toss a no-hitter this season.

But it’s also the year of the freak injury. After the game, Garza got the customary shaving cream pie in the face.

Thankfully, nobody was injured.

The same can not be said for Florida Marlins’ outfielder Chris Coghlan.

Following a walk-off win last week, Coghlan delivered a pie to Wes Helms, but in the process tore a meniscus in his left knee.

Coghlan has been placed on the DL, and may need surgery to repair it.

He becomes just the latest player hurt in a celebration.

Earlier this season, Angels’ first baseman Kendry Morales injured his leg after hitting a walk-off homer. Morales jumped on home plate, which was surrounded by his teammates, but the leg gave out. He’s out for the season.

It’s time that all major league managers take notice and ban these type of celebrations before it’s too late.

The last thing we need to see as Tiger fans is Miguel Cabrera hit a walk-off homer, take a pie to the face, and get a shattered nose.

Paul P. Adams is a sports writer for the Huron Daily Tribune and can be reached at (989) 269-6464 ext. 112 or at padams@hearstnp.com.